Category:Andrew (subject)

Andrew (1st century CE) was one of the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, and the brother of Peter.

Andrew in ancient sources

Andrew is mentioned only in Christian sources, i.e. in the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke (and Acts), and John, as one of the closest disciples of Jesus. He was the brother of Simon Peter (Mk 1:16; Mt 4:18; Jn 1:40); the son of Jona (Mt 16:17) or John (Jn 1:42); one of the Twelve (Mk 3:18; Mt 10:2; Lk 6:14; Acts 1:13).

The calling of Andrew

According to Mark, at the time of his call Andrew was living in Capernaum (Mk 1:21.29); he and Peter were fishing when Jesus called them (Mk 1:16-18 = Mt 4:18-20).

According to the Gospel of John, Andrew was from Bethsaida (Jn 1:44) and a former disciple of John the Baptist, before joining the group of the disciples of Jesus. It was "one of the two [disciples] who heard John speak [about Jesus]" (Jo 1:40). They "followed Jesus... and remained with him that day." Andrew then "found his brother Simon [Peter]" and brought him to Jesus, saying: "We have found the Messiah" (Jn 1:35-41).

Andrew the disciple

There are only a few additional references to Andrew in the Gospel traditions.

In the Gospel of Mark, Andrew (with Peter, James, and John) were the disciples, who "on the Mount of Olives... asked [Jesus] privately" about the signs of the end (Mk 13:3); the answer is known as "eschatological discourse" of Jesus (Mark 13).

In the Gospel of John, Andrew is often associated with Philip, who was also "from Bethsaida of Galilee" (Jo 1:44; 12:21) and one of the earliest to follow Jesus (1:43). Andrew is the one who indicated to Jesus "the boy with five barley loaves and two fish" (Jo 6:6), after Philip had given up any hope to feed the crowd. When "some Greeks came to Philip... wishing to see Jesus", it is said that first "Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus" (Jo 12:20-22).

Later Christian traditions

The later Christian tradition made Andrew a preacher in Asia Minor and in Scythia, and the founder of the See of Byzantium. It also tells of his martyrdom on a X-shaped cross at Patras, Greece around 60 CE, following his refusal to worship idols.

In 357 Andrew's purported remains were brought to Constantinople, while his head (except a fragment) remained in Patras. In 1206, during the occupation of Constantinople (Fourth Crusade) the papal legate Cardinal Capuano of Amalfi, transferred those relics in Italy. In 1208 the city of Amalfi welcomed them solemnly in the crypt of their cathedral. When in 1460 the Turks invaded Greece, the head of the Apostle was brought from Patras to Rome; it was kept in St. Peter for five centuries, until Pope Paul VI in 1964 returned the relic to the church of Patras.

Gabriele Boccaccini, University of Michigan

Andrew in Scholarship

The lack of evidence outside the Christian tradition makes it virtually impossible any attempt at a historical reconstruction of the life of Andrew, apart from a critical analysis of his legend (see Andrew, Brother of Simon Peter (1958 Peterson), book)

Gabriele Boccaccini, University of Michigan

Andrew in Fiction

The character of Andrew remains marginal in Christian iconography, where only the scene of his martyrdom enjoyed some popularity in the 17th century (especially in Italy and Spain). In modern fiction Andrew has never gained a life of his own, apart from the traditional association with Jesus or his brother Simon Peter.

Gabriele Boccaccini, University of Michigan

References

• Nicola Camera, Breve istoria della vita, traslazione e miracoli del gloriosissimo Apostolo S. Andrea (Potenza: Santello, 1830)

• Francesco Sama', Vita di S. Andrea Apostolo con l’aggiunta della sua passione. Scritta dai preti e diacono dell’Acaia e la novena (Roma: Artigianelli di S. Giuseppe, 1896)

• Andrea Colavolpe, Amalfi e il suo Apostolo. Andrea di Betsaida nel Vangelo, nella Storia e nella tradizione amalfitana (Salerno: De Luca, 2001)

External links

• Wikipedia